But, until last week, only a handful of people had ever seen more than two thirds of the movie. Immediately after the first screening, more than an hour of the film was cut and discarded so that theaters could fit in more shows per day. Most of the missing footage was considered lost forever, leaving only the disjointed skeleton of the movie for future generations.

Now that a nearly complete cut of the film was found in Argentina two years ago, BPL has a new edition on DVDthat restores all but five minutes of the long-missing footage. For the first time, we can see this towering achievement the way it was meant to be seen.

The Tea Party, Wiki Leaks, Charlie Rangel and Andrew Cuomo are just some of the players that have been part of the recent political firestorm. One can barely get through an entire news segment without hearing about government leaks, infighting amongst Republicans and Democrats, or the never ending brouhaha of corrupt politicians.

If these topics tickle your fancy, then I’m sure you’ll enjoy joining CNN’s John Avlon for a stirring discussion of “How the Lunatic Fringe Is Attacking America.” Whether you sit on the left or right side of the house, or you simply agree that the “the rent is too damn high,” this will definitely have you straight politicin’.

For this post, we welcome Micah Vandegrift, our intern in Web Applications. Micah has been doing extensive research on eBooks and mobile technology in libraries as part of his internship.

Considering an eReader as a gift this holiday season? Interested in reading an eBook to see what all the fuss is about? The Library is a good place to start; we have an extensive, and ever-growing, collection of digital content available for download.

eBooks are getting a lot of attention these days, and for good reason. There are now numerous eReader devices, text enhancements and constant conversations on how eBooks will affect the printed word. Predictions for eBook sales next year are astounding, and it’s possible that eReaders like the Kindle could be the hottest gift items this holiday season.

If you or your favorite technophile are considering eBooks as an option, we encourage you to try out our downloadable media catalog, which includes audiobooks and video content. It is a work in progress, and we are excited to jump into new forms of literacy. We will soon introduce a new page on our website to help guide your experience. For in-person assistance, we have a training session at our Business Library on Tuesday, December 7, at 6 PM: Getting Started with eBooks.

When all is said and done, what matters most is simply that we read, regardless of how the words are delivered.

It’s time to recover from Thanksgiving and prepare for the rest of the holiday season. Whether you’re doing some holiday shopping, finding a way to visit out-of-town family or just working off a few pounds before all the parties and meals, BPL’s Community Partnersoffer the discounts you’re looking for.

Use your library card to enjoy exclusive savings at stores, restaurants and businesses all around Brooklyn, so while you’re out and about this month, be sure to check which of our Community Partnerscan give you a little something extra to celebrate this holiday season.

After hours upon hours of planning, prepping and organizing, Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) can finally add Reading the Future, our 14th Annual Gala, to our list of successful fundraising events. With your support we were able to raise $352,000!

On Thursday, November 18, BPL transformed Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg into Gala central, taking over the lanes and main area as we honored Brooklyn’s Poet Laureate Tina Chang and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage.

We want to thank all of the donors, sponsors, Gala committee members and Library users like you who made it all possible. BPL is grateful to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Speaker Christine Quinn, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Borough President Marty Markowitz and Emmy-nominated actress Hope Davis, who joined more than 400 BPL supporters that night. Guests enjoyed cuisine from Blue Ribbon, a silent auction filled with unique prizes, a soulful performance by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and a fun After-Party hosted by the Desk Set. It was definitely a night to remember!

If you were unable to attend the Gala or the After-Party, but would still like to make a charitable contribution, visit our website.